Kona sizing

[al-onestare]

Hi all. I am looking to buy a Kona Explosif but am unsure what size would fit me. With the world of eBay being a buy now and regret later I I'd be greatfull for some advice. Can some one please tell me what size frame would suit a 6'2" with 34" leg.
Thanks in advance

IMO you're right between a 19" and 20". Both will fit you well.

If you want a chuckable ride, one you can really go hell for leather then a 19" might be slightly more preferable to a 20" but it's really down to personal preference.

I'm the same height as you but 33" inside leg. I ride a 19" Explosif off road, a 19" Cinder Cone on road and a 20" Manomano off road with no problems. The cruiser is 18"!!

Final thing to remember is that late 80's early 90's Kona sizing and geometry differs to mid 90's onwards.

 

[RadNomad]

I agree with SplatterPaint... 20" for you. I'm a quarter inch below 6 foot with 33" inside leg. I ride 19" and i'm happy with it but i'm definately on the absolute upper limit for the frame and have always thought 20" might even be better for me, but i got used to 19". I run lots of seat post (20cm visible) and the quill stem on the limit marks. If i were 2" taller there would be no doubt in my mind that my 19" frame would be too small. Just another opinion to confuse you more LOL..
But al (above) is right, you could probably get away with either and should really try both to truly know which is better for you. Below is a modern day Kona sizing chart - maybe not a brilliant reference for a '90s Kona but does seem to indicate your best size is 20".
In my limited experience Konas are on the smaller size for a given size, for example i have a 19" Marin and a 19" Kona, the Kona is a little bit smaller overall. That's another reason why i think you're better off with a 20" Kona if you're 6'2".

 

[spokes]

That's a valid point about seat height. As you say, if you run yours at max and you're an inch shorter in thd leg then maybe a 20" would be better.
Thanks again for all the comments.

 

[al-onestare]

If it helps - seat post length on a 19":

and on a 20":

If I recall there's, surprise-surprise - about an inch difference

Consider stack / front-end height as well. I have a similar number on both with flat bars - you may want something different.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I'm approx 5'10" with 34" actual inside leg (not trouser)
I ride a nice comfy 20" 97 Explosif regularly.
It really is comfy.
The longer headtube gives for less dropbto the bars and while it half inch longer In the horizontal toptube than a 19", that distance to the bars being higher help.
I would say a 19" may be better if I was whipping it through a slalom of trees, but for my day to day riding on rough ground, peaks, dales, moors, local. It works well.


Iirc for the mid/late 90s Kona geometry you are on the 20" Kona table.

One tick.... viewtopic.php?t=233453

 

[KenG]

I'm 6ft 5 with a 34 inch inside leg and ride a 95 20" Hahanna for work and a 91 21" Explosif at weekends, both feel comfortable to me, I like a lot of seatpost out,when i stop at traffic lights on the Hahanna I'm on tip toes when on the saddle,but when I'm moving theres a slight bend in my knee when at the bottom of the stroke.
Does that make sense?

 

[matt24777]

I'd go for a 19" if I was you. I'm 6'0" with 33.5" legs and a 19 fits ok, I've also got an 18" which I haven't built up yet. But I prefer smaller frames. You can always fit a long post & stem to stretch you out a bit if needed.

 

[spokes]

Wow well that's got it just about covered then! Seems like I hit on a common topic! Awesome amount of information thank you. With the spec charts I'll compare with my Proflexs. It's either a 20" or 19". I have a Pace Rc36 fork ready to go so I'll keep my eyes open and see what's available.

 

[The History Man]

It's 20. saddle top 32 ins from BB center.

Or 19

 

[Splatter Paint]

My 2005 19" frame, saddle is 76cm from centre of BB

SP